September 27

Tuesday, Remi and I traveled 26 miles northeast of Alma to hike in Midland County’s 154-acre, Manitou Park. The early morning weather was partly cloudy with a temperature of 48 degrees and a moderate westerly wind. From the car, we took off south on a paved path where I noticed both Blue stem Goldenrod and Panicled Aster blossoms along the edge as well as some browning Bracken Ferns. Next, I came to the crest of a steep, 50-foot bank and paused to observe the Chippewa River below as it flowed west to east and where, after a 17-mile journey from here, will empty into the Tittabawassee River in Midland. Swinging around to the east, I followed the trail along the high bank where I came across clumps of green Pincushion Moss under a large oak tree while other green foliage, responding to seasonal change, were starting to turn red, including: Yarrow, Sassafras and even Poison Ivy. Further ahead, a few blossoms of Thin-leaved Sunflowers caught my eye. Turning around, I began retracing my steps west where I spotted three types of fungi: Turkey Tail covering the end of a cut log and tiny Orange Peel resting on the soil. The third type was the edible Spiny Puffball. So I broke off a piece and savored the fresh mushroom flavor along with a few grains of sand. Continuing west, I came upon some mysterious red, olive-size fruit scattered on the ground that, after looking around, turned out to be haws from a nearby Hawthorne tree. Even though they can be eaten raw, haws are commonly made into jam, syrup or wine. Near the end of the hike, I spotted a few clumps of 5-ft. tall Nodding Bulrush. Finally, we returned to the car and headed for Alma.

Late in September

Summer falls asleep

Lady Autumn awakes

In the forest deep

Quaking Aspen leaves

Litter the shady ground

Most are pale yellow

A few, spotted with brown

Beside a peaceful glade

Ferns give up their green

On the meandering river

Water has lost its sheen

D. DeGraaf